Justification:Taxus canadensis has an extensive range in northeastern North America. Although it has undergone a decline within that range over the last century, especially in the south, the extent of decline is currently insufficient for it to qualify for listing under any threatened category and it is therefore assessed as Least Concern. The decline is expected to continue and may increase if predicted climate change impacts such as reduced snow cover lead to an increase in browsing pressures, the primary threat. A reassessment within the next ten years will be necessary.

Widespread in northeastern North America. In the U.S.A. it has been recorded from Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersery, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In Canada it has been recorded from Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Islands, and Quebec. The extent of occurrence is in excess of 20,000 km2 and it is known from more than 10 locations. The area of occupancy has not been calculated.

Usually occurs as a low straggling understorey shrub in broadleafed and coniferous forests. Branches often layer so that quite extensive clumps can be formed. Sexual reproduction is rare. For a detailed account of its ecology and habitat see Windels and Flaspohler 2011.

Historically Canadian Yew was extensively used by native North Americans and settlers as a beverage and as a treatment for various ailments (Pinto and Herr 2005). Although this species has considerable potential as a source of biomass for Taxol production, it is not currently exploited (Cameron and Smith 2002).

Over the last century there has been a significant but unquantified decline of populations within T. canadensis' range as a result of browsing by native ungulates, fire, intensive forest management, and clearing of land for agriculture and other development. Currently it is considered threatened to various degrees in 12 states of the U.S.A. and 1 Canadian province in eastern North America. Increasing deer populations and reduced snowfall as a result of climate change in eastern North America are significant threats for the future.